Student goes to State Capitol to fight anti-homosexual legislation
by Brian Shults, se news editor

    One SE Campus sophomore has put his government and civics lessons to practical use.

    Seth Vose traveled to Austin twice to speak to the Texas Legislature to protest two bills he believes infringe on his rights and those of all homosexuals in Texas.

    The Texas State Senate was considering the Senate bill SB 488 and the companion House bill HB 496.

    The bill did not pass this legislative session; it died in the House Calendars Committee because of failure to schedule it for discussion before the House dismissed. According to Sen. Chris Harris’ Austin office it could possibly be considered during the next session, two years from now.

    Sen. Harris (Republican), a senator since 1991, represents Ar-lington, Bedford, Hurst and North Richland Hills, among other parts of Tarrant and Johnson counties. Harris is known as a strong proponent of traditional family values.

    The bill, if passed, would prohibit recognition of same sex marriages or civil unions if legally granted in another state. Presently, only three states in America legally allow same sex marriages or civil unions, but if one were to legalize it and not restrict its effect to the issuing state, the bill would not recognize the marriage record in Texas.

    “Heterosexuals do not see everything that has been pitted against gays. If you challenged their right to be married, they would be just as adamant about it violating their civil rights as homosexuals are,” he said.

    The bill would allow Texas to ignore a same sex marriage, or marital rights, that another state may grant individuals.

    However, Article IV, Section 1 of the United States Constitution says, “Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State.”

    Article IV puts the ultimate validity of the Texas bill in great question, Vose said. If another state gave marital rights to same sex partners and Texas refused to recognize that union, an affected citizen could potentially bring a case against the state on the grounds of a violation of the U.S. Constitution.

    The bill has sparked controversy. Vose believes what many of the bill’s supporters call “special rights” for gays is an oxymoron because the right is so easily afforded to heterosexuals.

    “The majority of laws are written to preserve life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, but this particular one prevents me from achieving that. The government should not be concerned with personal choices because they conflict with their moral agenda,” he said.

    “Being gay, I would simply like the right to do the same things as heterosexuals, and people should try to understand that,” he said.

    Vose plans to continue protesting similar legislation. He follows the teachings of his TCC professors who encourage students to voice their opinions and write their representatives.